Rashanim @ The Stone 10/19/08

Ok, its official, I had an A++ weekend. The Rashanim closer was awesome. They had a substitute bass player, Yoshi. He was awesome, playing a lot of interesting melody at times.

They sat in chairs, probably to help them play quieter than usual due to the venue size. I thought it was going to be acoustic, but it was electric. That was fine because I had my earplugs, knowing it would be hard for them to play quietly the whole time. Its exciting music.

They did only play 1 loud song, but there were moments of loudness in the rest.

It was phenomenal. These are topnotch musicians with phenomenal music. I was so sorry when it ended, I could have used another hour. They played a lot of stuff I've heard them do before, but in a quieter, more relaxed way.

Rashanim
Jon Madof (guitar) Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (bass) Mathias Kunzli (drums)
Rashanim returns to The Stone to perform music from their three Tzadik releases as well as material from a new project based on the biblical prophets. www.rashanim.com

Mario Pavone + Rashanim

I went to the 1st set at The Stone, Mario Pavone. Good stuff. I would call it lively jazz. It was very good and intense. I find it interesting that he categorizes himself as avant-garde and tends to play that circuit. I think I’m getting jaded because I didn’t think it was so new or different. It was great, however. I thought it was something you’d here at a fancy jazz club that plays great music, like Dizzy’s or something. Bernstein was awesome. I loved the drummer. He was a little different. The piano was a nice touch. They did one song with just the piano trio and Mario commented that’s the core and the music builds up from there as opposed to starting larger and building down.

http://www.mariopavone.com/home.html
http://www.mariopavone.com/artist.html

Mario Pavone Project
Mario Pavone(bass) Craig Taborn (piano) Michael Sarin(drums) Steven Bernstein(trumpet, slide trumpet)

I wanted more but didn’t feel like sticking around The Stone for a horn duo, even though I’m sure it was awesome. I then remembered there was some Jewish thing going on at Bowery Poetry Club and Rashanim was on the bill. I decided to head over and check it out. When I got there, there was a funky band playing and I figured it was worth the $7 to stick around for a bit. They ended quickly and there was going to be some poetry before the next band. The 1st guy was pretty good. I’ve seen him around the jazz circuit, at Vision Fest or something. He was reading a few poems from a book he wrote for Charles Gayle. He was an excellent reader and the poems had a lot of rhythm. They were kind of depressing, though. Next up was a woman who was difficult to listen to, she just had no energy in her reading. Then there was a guy who when they introduced him said he was guaranteed not to suck. Well, he sucked. At least according to the 1st 90 seconds, which was about all I could take. I took a break in the other room and came back when Rashanim was setting up. Unfortunately, the poets went long and their set was only 25 minutes. However, it was an excellent 25 minutes and saved me from being tired today. They played from 10:35 – 11, and were just excellent, every moment. It was rocking, grooving, free, etc. They had a guest drummer and I’m not sure who he was. He was great, though. I wanted a cd, but again didn’t want to wait until they packed up. They had to get off quickly so the next and last band could come on.

Overall it was a very nice evening.

Lisle Ellis @ Zebulon 3/22/09

Timing gigs at Zeb is a whole art unto itself. It was listed as 8:30, Rashanim is on later, and its the type of artists who are usually close to schedule. My best guess is they would go on around 8:45. Given that they finished at about 9:45, that was probably the case. I didn't get there til about 9:15.

I enjoyed it thoroughly. Michael Wimberly was behind the kit, sans any of the interesting percussion instruments I saw him with the night before. Angelica Sanchez was adding a layer of beauty on the keyboard. The horn section was awesome - Darius Jones is always great. There was another guy on sax and clarinet. There was a great trombone player. During one piece, he had his muffler hooked up to his laptop and had some interesting non-trombone sounds, very futuristic. Lyle was as great as always and so was his music.

I would have loved to stay for Rashanim, but that would be counter-productive to my busy week ahead.

Rashanim @ Joe's Pub 8/19/09

This was awesome. This is an incredibly talented trio. I continue to be impressed with them.
It started with a 20 minute mini-set of poetry with Shanir playing bass accompaniment. The poet is Jake Marmer. He has a great voice for it and I liked the rhythms.

Then there was about a 5-10 min intermission before the stellar Rashanim hit the stage. It's radical Jewish-influenced music played phenomenally well. They said they were mainly playing off their new album. I've got to admit, I didn't notice whether I've heard the material before or not. Its always new and fresh to me.

Madoff played a couple of different acoustic guitars, a banjo, and a ukulele. He sounded great on everything. Shanir had his acoustic bass and a glockenspiel.

It was too bad it was so sparsely attended. There were a good number of people. I walked in at 9:30 and they said anywhere without a reserved sign. This resulted in most of the tables up front being empty. They really should release the reservations at some point. There were still enough of their fans there.

Jon Madof guitar
Mathias Kunzli drums, percussion
Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz electric bass

Zion80 @ The Stone 8/6/12

I was able to make about 15 min of rehearsal and it was awesome.  Frank London was there this time on trumpet.  Yoshie Fruchter was on bass - we found out at the end he is actually a guitar player.  He really laid it down on the bass. The 2 guitar players were the same as when I saw them a month ago - Jonathon Goldberger and Ty Citerman.  Mathias Kunzli (who reminded me of Dafnis Prieto, probably due to his hair)  was on drums.  Same great conga player as the week before, Marlon Sobol.  He was so awesome using hands and sticks.  Tim Keiper was on percussion.  There was a 2nd drumkit again, Evan Pazner.  Zack Meyer was on bari as Jessica Lurie is out of town.  I'm not sure of the alto is the same guy I saw last time.  Rafi Makiel was on trombone.  He may or may not have been the same from the other time.

Jon played during the performance - he's going to be on a couple for the album.  They also added a row of chairs in front of me in between the rehearsal and performance.  The horn section was rather close and I realized I was good with the 2nd row for this one.  It appears they are playing the album each time, but it's still different as the people are different and the moment is different. 

It was a lot of fun and very good.  Everyone sat except for Yoshie the bass player.  He's actually a guitar player, but I wouldn't have guessed.  The horns would stand when they soloed.  The solos were a whole lot of fun.  I was really digging the drums.  Unlike the other night I came, which was the very first night, the drums and percussion were all together in a section and it made a wonderful difference.  I can't exercise yet, so I figured I shouldn't get up and dance.  I sure did get my groove on in my chair, though.

There was one extra cool part, where they were improvising.  Frank started just playing his mouthpiece and the rest of the horn section followed suit.  I could see other parts where things got interesting with the improv.





Here's a link to the website where you can stream a show they put up on-line from the week before.  There were a lot of special guests including Cyro Baptista.  It's awesome!
http://zion80.com/

NEW MUSIC OBSERVATORY AT THE STONE JON MADOF’S ZION80
7:30—Open Rehearsal
9:00—Performance The latest large group project from Jon Madof (Rashanim, CircuitBreaker) features music by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach set to arrangements inspired by Nigerian Afrobeat master Fela Anikulapo Kuti. 

Upcoming: Undead jazzfest Tonight and Tomorrow - Spectacular!

It's not too late to attend the last 2 nights of this truly awesome jazz festival.  It's all these new bands with phenomenal musicians.  Tonight is in the Gowanas area of Brooklyn and tomorrow night in Williamsburg.  Both nights are in multiple venues very close to each other.  It is possible to see each band each night and it's a lot less walking than most multi-stage outdoor festivals. 

Check out the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-Oo0r2mID8

Undead Jazzfest 2011 Trailer

www.youtube.com

‎1 second of music from every musician playing in the festival, recorded privately, taken from a song, or left on an answering machine. Buy your tickets now f...

Here's the schedule for the next 2 nights:

June 25th, 2011
Littlefield
08:00 PM - Jeff Lederer's Sunwatcher
09:10 PM - Sylvie Courvoisier and Mark Feldman
10:20 PM - Darius Jones Trio
11:30 PM - Anthony Coleman Trio with Brad Jones, and Satoshi Takeshi
12:40 AM - Jamie Saft New Zion Trio
Cross Fit Gym
08:20 PM - Zeena Parkins and The Adorables
09:30 PM - Briggan Krauss H Alpha with Jim Black, and Ikue Mori
10:40 PM - Elliott Sharp plays Thelonious Monk
11:50 PM - Mountains
HOMAGE SKATEBOARD TRAINING FACILITY
08:40 PM - Min Xiao-Fen's "Dim Sum" w/ Satoshi Takeishi
09:50 PM - Matt Wilson solo
11:00 PM - Dean Bowman solo
12:10 AM - David S. Ware solo
01:20 AM - Jeremy Udden's Plainville
June 26th, 2011
Public Assembly Stage 1
08:00 PM - Bizingas
09:00 PM - The Claudia Quintet
10:00 PM - Oliver Lake Organ Quartet
11:00 PM - Ari Hoenig Quartet
12:00 AM - Peter Brotzmann's FULL BLAST
Public Assembly Stage 2
08:30 PM - Gene Lake
09:30 PM - Bobby Previte Quartet
10:30 PM - Joshua Roseman's Joshua Three
11:30 PM - Clark Gayton
Cubana Social
08:15 PM - Marika Hughes
09:15 PM - Graffito
10:15 PM - Erik Friedlander
11:15 PM - Rashanim
Cameo
08:45 PM - Jon Iragabon / Mike Pride
09:45 PM - Ches Smith's Congs for Brums
10:45 PM - UB313 w/ Marshall Allen (Sun Ra Arkestra)
11:45 PM - Aperiodic

ABRAXAS @ The Stone 8/3/12

We are blessed with yet another phenomenal new band.  They rehearsed together a couple of times, recorded a Masada cd, and now the first live gig.  You would never know - didn't this band and cd always exist?  I put it up there with any other Masada project, Banquet of Spirits, and Rashanim.  That means they are pretty damn good.  Shanir played the gimbri, also know as sintir (Micro from Club d'Elf plays it).  There was one tune that reminded me of John Zorn's The Dreamers.  Eyal and Aram sounded great together.  The whole thing was phenomenal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXja7nK5Ng

http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/review-shanir-ezra-blumenkranzs-abraxas/

Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz - ABRAXAS - John Zorn’s Masada: Book of Angels Vol. 19 — CD RELEASE CONCERT! Aram Bajakian (guitars) Eyal Maoz (guitars) Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (gimbri) Kenny Grohowski (drums) ABRAXAS: Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz steps out on his own to make one of the most primal and tribal installments in the “Book of Angels”’ series. Drawing on his Sephardic roots, Shanir plays gimbri throughout, giving the music a primeval Moroccan edge. Featuring the intense guitar pyrotechnics of Eyal Maoz and Aram Bajakian (who recently has been tearing it up in Lou Reed’s new band) and the atavistic drumming of Kenny Grohowski, this is Ritualistic Jewish Rock for the 21st century by a brilliant young lion from the East Village via Brooklyn/Israel! 

Zion80 @ The Stone 7/2/12

This is every Monday all summer long.  Lucky, lucky us!  I couldn't get to the rehearsal, but I did make it for the front row for the amazing performance.  Usually, I draft my posts in my blackberry while it's still fresh.  I ended up having a surprise surgery on 7/4, which I am recovering nicely from.  This was my last show at the time of this writing, but I expect to get back to live music very soon.  I didn't get a chance to draft the post for this show, so I'm going off of memory.

Jessica Lurie mainly played baritone and I think a little bit of alto.  There was another sax as well.  I think there was a trumpet as well.  There were 2 other guitar players besides John Madof.  John did a lot of conducting, but he also played on a couple and was amazing.  Brian Marsella was on keys and Shanir Blumenkranz was on electric bass.  There were 4 amazing drummer/percussionists.  I think it was 2 drumkits, a congas guy, and a percussionist. 

The website lists more band members, so I'm sure it's often different.  I'm also sure it's always phenomenal.  I'm looking forward to getting to more of these whenever we don't have Monday Night Alive.

Check out the video on their site:  http://zion80.com/

http://zion80.com/the-band/

NEW MUSIC OBSERVATORY AT THE STONE JON MADOF’S ZION80
7:30—Open Rehearsal
9:00—Performance The latest large group project from Jon Madof (Rashanim, CircuitBreaker) features music by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach set to arrangements inspired by Nigerian Afrobeat master Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Matthew Shipp/Steve Dalachinsky 8/2/08

I had plans for later so I was glad to get some early music in. I came for Matthew Shipp, not realizing that I know full well who Steve Dalachinsky is. I see him at many of the best creative music shows. I also saw him read his poetry at Bowery Poetry club before Rashanim played at a Jewish festival a while back. He was also the one who saved the day last year when no one showed up to manage The Stone one night. I had a conversation about that later, and that was the only night it ever happened. It was Daniel Carter, Roy Hargrove, and Sabir Mateen and it was awesome. It was sometime before I started this blog, but I remember it being well worth the wait for the show to begin.

Anyway, the set of poetry and jazz last night was awesome. Both Steve and Matthew wrote poems in the book, which also has lots of pictures. Steve's poetry was written while he was listening to Matthew over the years. Matthew is into math, music, and spirituality.

I love the way Steve reads and I love how rhythmic his poems are. I didn't get the book or any CDs last night, but I remember seeing some CDs of him with various musicians. I might have to pick up a few at some point.

Matthew is amazing and however he played during the readings was phenomenal. Steve also took a break at times and we got some piano soloing.

The whole set was about an hour, and was well worth coming out early for. They charged a $10 admission, which included a drink. I think it was a book release, so the artists didn't want to get paid, but the club wanted to make sure they got something out of the show. That left me to ponder how that's how it works for book promotions. But, CD release parties tend to be a show, which includes admission. Now they tend to do the CD release party as a tour it seems. It's just kind of interesting when you get an entire hour of great music/poetry.

The book was published by a French record label that has a lot of the great creative musicians. It's their first book. It did sound good, I just have so much to read and I'd rather hear it. Still, some of Matthew's poems about math and spirituality got me kind of interested to possibly get the book at some point.

Matthew Shipp (piano) & Steve Dalachinsky (poetry)
in concert for their new book Logos & Language
at the Cornelia Street Cafe
Saturday - August 2, 2008 at 6 PM

Upcoming Undead Jazzfest 6/23-6/26

This looks phenomenal!  And, you can get a discounted 4-day pass for $45 if you purchase before 4/29.  It's absurd not to!

http://www.undeadjazz.com/

2011 NYC Undead Jazzfest – June 23 – 26
TICKETS:
4 Day Festival Pass (Special $45 discounted pass, increases to $50 on April 29)


2011 Artists
Alan Licht and Brian Chase
Andrew D’Angelo Big Band
Anthony Coleman with Brad Jones and Satoshi Takeshi
Aperiodic
Ari Hoenig Quartet
Bizingas
Bobby Previte Quartet
Bradaughters with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Gary Lucas and Morrison Edley
Briggan Krauss H Alpha with Jim Black, and Ikue Mori
Ceramic Dog with Marc Ribot, Shahzad Ismaily and Ches Smith
Ches Smith’s Congs For Brums
Clark Gayton
Darius Jones Trio
Dave King Trucking Company
David Fiuczynski with berklee microJam
David S. Ware
David Torn Trio with Tim Berne and Ches Smith
Dean Bowman solo
Doomsayer
Elliott Sharp plays Thelonious Monk
Erik Friedlander solo
Gerald Clayton
Harris Eisenstedt’s Canada Day
Jamie Saft’s New Zion Trio
Jeff Lederer’s Sunwatcher
Escreet / Binney / Krantz / Gilmore
John Irabagon and Mike Pride
Kris Davis Trio
Logan Richardson with Ben Williams and Nasheet Waits
Marc Ribot solo
Marika Hughes with Kyle Sanna, Fred Cash, Charlie Burnham, Andy Borger and Mathias Kunzli
Matt Wilson solo
Min Xiao Fen’s Dim Sum with Satoshi Takeishi and Du Yun
Mountains
Rashanim
Satoko Fuji
Starlicker with Rob Mazurek, John Herndon and Jason Adasiewicz
Sylvie Courvoisier, Mark Feldman
Tar Baby with Orrin Evans, Eric Revis, Nasheet Waits, JD Allen
UB313 with Marshall Allen, Elliot Levin, Warren Oree and Ed Watkins
Zeena Parkins and The Adorables

Marc Ribot Tribute @ The Stone 5/13/09

I went to the first set, and it was awesome. Marco Cappelli did about 4 or 5 pieces that were very complex and challenging. He said he commissioned Marc to write 1 piece for him and he got 4. Marco was amazing. I would venture to go so far to say he's more technically capable on the complex stuff than Ribot. That's not really saying much, except that he was incredibly amazing. I also never noticed the 7 additional strings on his 6-string. They are on a diagonal and underneath in a cross-under from the typical strings.
It's also a very beautiful guitar.

That was enough yet it was only the beginning. After that, Anthony Lane came up and did some really nice solo pieces. He didn't do much with the inside of the piano, but he seemed to be warming it up for the next set. He was wonderful. He played a few pieces.

After that, there was an incredible duo of Billy Martin and Grey Gerstein. I hadn't realized that was him. I've seen him around a lot, and I've probably heard him and don't remember. Billy was heavy duty and stellar. Gerstein was awesome. He did the more soulful side of Ribot's music.

Each of those ensembles in that hour were worth more than the price of admission. It was a very special treat.

I had trouble leaving the area for Joe's Pub. Everywhere I looked, there was another of my favorite stellar artists showing up to play in the 2nd set. It was tough, but I knew there was other greatness to be experienced nearby ...

A TRIBUTE TO RIBOT
Marco Capelli, Anthony Coleman, Grey Gersten, Jon Madof, Eyal Maoz, Roger Kleier
Six colleagues, fans and cohorts of Marc Ribot pay tribute to the master in this special night of musical madness. Three performances per set feature music from several of Ribot's most beloved projects.
5/13 Wednesday (JM)

8 pm
Marco Capelli/Anthony Coleman/Grey Gersten play MARC RIBOT
Marco Capelli, Grey Gersten (guitar) Anthony Coleman (piano) Billy Martin (drums)
Marco Capelli will play material from Ribot's eclectic solo repertoire. Anthony Coleman will perform a variety of Ribot originals, and Grey Gersten will present "Dying Cowboy" and "Etude #4 Bombasto" in duo with Billy Martin.


This is the set I missed:
10 pm
John Madof and Rashanim/Eyal Maoz/Roger Kleier's El Pocho Loco Project play MARC RIBOT
Jon Madof, Eyal Maoz, Roger Kleier (guitar) Shanir Blumenkranz, Trevor Dunn (bass) Mathias Kuntzli, Ches Smith (drums) Annie Gosfield (keyboards) Rich Stein (percussion)
Three exciting young guitarists pay tribute to the master—performing material from Yo I Killed Your God, Cubanos Postizos and more.

Undead Jazzfest @ PA, CS, and Cameo 6/26/11

I love Williamsburg and it was such an easy stretch.  There were 4 stages, which made it more challenging to see it all.  I only missed a little, though.

Public Assembly had 2 stages, which I will label PA1 and PA2.  PA1 was the stage by the front where you walk in.  Stage 2 was in the back in a separate room.  The sound did commingle sometimes between both stages.

Cubana Social (CS) is a good place!  It looks like they have live Latin music and very good food and drinks.  I didn't eat, but I want to get back there for an evening.

I really like Cameo, which is the performance room in the back of The Lovin Cup.

Bazingas was awesome at PA1!  I did have to whip out my earplugs because Ches Smith is a monster drummer.  It also includes Brian Drye on trombone, piano, synth, compositions, Jonathan Goldberger on guitar, baritone guitar, and Kirk Knuffke on cornet.

I then went down the hall to PA2 to check out Gene Lake.  I got the last bit of a song that sounded good.  Then he did some talking.  Next they were going to play a ballad.  I knew I would be remiss if I didn't catch some of Marika's set ...

I saw the very end of Marika Hughes set at CS.  She had her cello and Charlie Burnham had his violin.  I'm not sure who else was in it.

I then went back for a little more Gene Lake.  It was good - there was something about the organ I wasn't crazy about.  I'm very particular with organ - there's a lot I don't like.

I was also worried about missing the duo with Mike Pride (dums) and Jon Irabagon (sax) at Cameo.  Good move!  It was fantastic!  I need to see Mike Pride more.  I never realized he looks a little like David King.

Back to CS for Graffito w/ special guest Andrew d'Angelo.  I was happy to see Marco Cappelli is in it.  I also recognized some faces from the blown away phenomenal Andrew d'Angelo Big Band set last Thurs.  I also had a delicious Social Mohito.  They put ginger in it and it's awesome.  Graffito is an awesome string ensemble.  Add Andrew's sax and it gets even better.

I'm a little fuzzy on the order I saw the next 3 bands.  It went something like this:

Ches Smith's Congs for Brums at Cameo.  I think this solo percussion project has evolved since I saw it last.  It's phenomenal no matter how he wants to do it.  He didn't have the vibraphone, but he had a sound machine with pre-recorded music to play with.  It was great!

The Oliver Lake Organ Quartet at PA1 was off the hook!  That certainly wasn't too much organ!  Oliver is phenomenal.

I did skip The Claudia Quintet earlier at PA1.  I love them, but I've also seen them a bunch of times.  Like I said, with 4 stages it's a little harder to get to everything.

There was no missing the Bobby Previte Quartet.  They were late coming on, which helped me see Oliver.  Just watching Bobby on the kit is such a treat!  He's amazing.  I love seeing Mike Gamble on guitar.  Darius Jones always brings a lot to a project with his alto sax.  This was my first time seeing Ari Folman-Cohen.  He played upright acoustic bass and this little electric bass.  He's really good.  This quartet is awesome and I need a whole super long set of it.

I missed Eric Freidlander at CS.  I assume it was a solo set and I know that whatever it was, it was excellent.

Josh Roseman's Joshua Three at PA1 was great.  His trombone was the only horn on stage.  He had Curtis Hasselbring, usually a trombone player, on guitar.  He's good.  Peter Apfelbaum was on the keyboard.  Eric Deutch on organ.  The great Joe Russo on drums.  In other words, a great band.

The last band for me was the outstanding UB313 at Cameo.  Marshall Allen rules!

I missed everything after that:  Ari Hoenig Quartet at PA1, Rashanim at CS, Clark Gayton at PA2, Peter Brotzmann's FULL BLAST at PA1, and Aperiodic at Cameo. 

Bravo on the festival!  It was quite spectacular!  I've only seen a handful of the bands before, so most of it was new, new, new!  Great job!